Wed Jan 15 16:16:40 UTC 2025: ## West Bengal Doctors Protest CID Probe into Expired Saline Deaths
**Kolkata, January 15, 2025** – The Joint Platform of Doctors (JPD) in West Bengal has condemned the state government’s use of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to investigate the death of a woman and critical condition of three others after receiving allegedly expired saline solution at Medinipur Medical College and Hospital. The JPD alleges a cover-up, stating that the focus should be on administrative failures rather than blaming doctors for following flawed procedures.
The incident involves an expired batch of Ringer’s Lactate (RL) solution supplied by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals. Following the death, the West Bengal Health Department admitted to a lapse and banned nine other fluids besides RL. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant stated that an initial probe indicated a failure to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) due to trainee doctors administering the solution without senior supervision. The government has also ordered the withdrawal of all stocks procured from Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals through the State Medical Infrastructure Services (SMIS) system.
However, Dr. Tapas Pramanick, a Medical Officer at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, questioned the CID’s involvement, arguing that a medical team, possibly from AIIMS, should conduct the investigation. He highlighted that the post-mortem report indicated septic shock and multi-organ failure, potentially linked to the contaminated RL. He further criticized the government’s failure to act on previous objections regarding the RL solution.
The JPD statement accused the administration of ignoring the problem of fake medicines for an extended period, suggesting a political and bureaucratic conspiracy. They have demanded a judicial probe to ensure transparency. The controversy continues to spark debate among medical and political circles within the state.
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